PHASES OF A THERAPEUTIC NURSE-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

PRE INTERACTION (Preorientation)

- nurse is preparing for introduction
- obtaining available information about the client from their chart, significant
others, or other health-team members
- initial information may also allow the nurse to become aware of personal
responses to knowledge about the client
- examining one's feelings, fears, and anxieties about working with a particular
client

2. INTERACTION/Orientation (initial introduction)

- 'get acquainted'; explore feelings of both client/nurse
- gather assessment data
- identify initial nursing dx
- build rapport, trust, and set boundaries
- set goals that are mutually agreeable
- establish a contract of intervention that details the expectations and
responsibilities of both nurse and client

3. Working (middle)
- nursing action: modeling feedback, problem solving, good communication,
continually evaluate progress towards goal
- promote clients insight/perception of reality
- this is where client must overcome feelings of anger/sadness/loneliness as they
work through issues

4. Termination
- progress has been made toward attainment of mutually set goals; evaluation of
those goals
- plan for continuing care/assistance during stressful life experiences
- feelings about termination of the relationship are recognized and explored: the
nurse should share his or her feelings with the client; hrough these interactions
the client learns that is acceptable to have these kinds of feelings at a time of
separation
- client experiences growth during the process of termination

5. Post-termination
- nurse only: reflects on experience
- what went well? what did not go well? how would I approach another client
differently because of this?